5 Essential Places To Visit In Scotland In 2025

Published by Graeme on

It’s the start of a new year and time to begin planning your perfect trip to Scotland! There’s so much choice though, once you start to look a little deeper it can all get a little overwhelming. You’re going to need help narrowing down where to visit in Scotland in 2025.

Most visitors will travel roughly the same route – starting in Edinburgh, taking in Skye and heading back via Glencoe and Loch Lomond. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, those are all fantastic places to visit and they’re popular choices for Scotland’s Stories tours!

However, if you want to avoid crowds, then you’ll need to think a little more creatively. Scotland is a much bigger place than you might first realise, with history and scenic beauty around just about every corner. So if you want to know some essential places to visit in Scotland in 2025, then look no further!

Never miss a story! Sign up to the Scotland’s Stories Newsletter here.

Should I Drive On My Visit To Scotland In 2025?

Before finding out where you should visit this year, it’s important to know how you’re going to get around Scotland in 2025. While it is possible to reach most places by public transport, in many areas it’s far easier to drive.

In remote areas, there might only be one bus a day and even then, it might stop a good hike away from where you want to see!

Here’s the best place to find car hire in Scotland and if you’re nervous about the prospect of driving then this article might help you!

Take The Road Less Travelled In Kintyre

There’s no doubt in my mind that the Kintyre peninsula in Argyll is one of Scotland’s best hidden gems. The local tourist board have worked with businesses and branded the Kintyre 66 Roadtrip to try and attract visitors to the region. It’s not a long route, but you could easily fill 3 days in this wee corner of Argyll!

Sheep on the Kintyre 66

There are medieval ruins to run around, like the gargantuan Skipness Castle, which has beautiful views out across to Arran. Saddell Abbey, founded by the warlord Somerled, is full of life-sized carved warriors on graveslabs, threatening with stone spears and shields. You’ll find ancient forts, standing stones and even the carved footprints of St Columba himself!

Skipness Castle Kintyre 66

If you’re more interested in natural beauty, then a trip to Kintyre should still be part of your 2025 Scotland trip! There are incredible sandy beaches, including Saddell Bay where the Mull of Kintyre music video was filmed.

You won’t find mountains this far south. but the rolling hills are still beautiful, as are the views out to sea. Finish off a brilliant trip with a delicious Campbeltown dram of Glen Scotia whisky!

Head Off To The Outer Hebrides!

When it comes to Scotland’s islands, not many will get further than Skye on their trip to Scotland in 2025. It’s a shame because we have dozens of other amazing islands spread along the west and north coasts. If you’re up for an adventure, you should go find out why the Outer Hebrides were recognised by National Geographic as one of the Best Destinations In The World in 2025!

Hike Heaval on Barra

Stretching from quiet Barra in the south to popular Lewis in the north, this string of islands are joined by causeways and ferries. You can either pick one or two to focus fully on or give yourself a few days to travel the length! There’s even a long distance walking route called the Hebridean Way if you’re up for a 273km challenge!

Calanais Stone Circle

The Outer Hebrides have so much to offer from tiny ruined chapels to enormous standing stones and golden beaches to rugged mountains. These islands are packed with history and culture along with some of the friendliest people you’re likely to meet.

Now that National Geographic have got the word out, you’d better get there before everybody else does!

Explore Angus From The Mountains To The Sea

It seems like the west coast of Scotland gets most of the attention, but there are plenty of reasons to head east too. If you had to pick one of those regions to focus on during your 2025 Scotland trip, I’d go with Angus. It’s an incredibly diverse place considering its size and you can easily explore mountains in the morning and the seaside by the afternoon.

The Kirk at Loch Lee

There are some easy Munros to hike like Mount Keen and fantastic scenery up the Angus Glens. A trip along Glen Esk, taking in the folk museum, followed by a wander to Loch Lee is one of my “go to” happy spots. From there, a tour around Glamis Castle is an absolute must as you travel towards the coast!

Don’t miss some of the amazing collections of Pictish stones scattered around the region. Some are tucked away safely in museums like Meigle, St Vigeans or The Meffan but others are still out in the open at places like Aberlemno or Eassie!

Arbroath Smokie

The coastal section of Angus is just as worth visiting during your 2025 Scotland trip. Nowhere is that more obvious than the wee harbour town of Arbroath! Explore the Abbey where the Declaration of Arbroath was signed and learn about the amazing Bell Rock lighthouse at the Signal Tower.

Follow it all up with a delicious Arbroath Smokie while gazing out to sea down by the harbour.

Visit Inverness For The Castle Reopening

I won’t pretend that the City of Inverness is off the beaten track, but there is one good reason that it’s an essential place to visit in Scotland in 2025. This year, Inverness Castle finally opens back up to the public! There has been a fortification on this spot above the River Ness for almost 1000 years, with plenty of important events taking place there!

Inverness Castle

King James I betrayed a group of Highland Clan Chiefs by summoning them to the castle for a parliament, just to arrest them! Over 100 years later, Mary Queen of Scots was betrayed herself when the Gordons barred the gates to her. Loyal clans gathered and stormed the castle for her!

In 1746, the Jacobites successfully captured what was then called Fort George on this spot, before destroying it when they left. The current Inverness Castle is a Victorian structure and until recently was used by the local council. I don’t have a firm date for the re-opening yet, but hopefully I can update that soon!

Best Things To Do In Inverness

There’s lots more to make you want to visit Inverness this year though. It makes an excellent base for the surrounding area, with routes out in every direction, including the nearby Culloden Battlefield. This is also the best place in Scotland to find traditional music in places like Hootenanny, MacGregors and the Highlander every single night!

Watch Orkney Win The Island Games!

There are plenty of reasons to visit Orkney in a normal year, but in the summer of 2025 there’s one extra one. In July, they play host to the 20th International Island Games! Competitors from island groups around the world will descend on Orkney to battle it out in 12 different sports and every single event is free for visitors to watch.

Visiting Orkney In Winter

If you don’t manage to catch the games or you have time outside of watching archery, explore some of Orkney’s neolithic wonders. The 5000+ year old village of Skara Brae is one Scotland’s greatest wonders as are some of the earliest stone circles at Stenness and Brodgar. If that isn’t enough, then the Viking graffiti at Maeshowe is sure to wow you!

Orkney really is an amazing group of islands to visit, especially if you get out to some of the smaller ones like Hoy. Don’t think you have to wait for summer either, I had a fantastic trip there in January last year. In case you don’t believe me, just watch the YouTube video below!

Start Planning Your 2025 Trip To Scotland!

Hopefully you’ve picked up some ideas for where in Scotland to visit in 2025. These are just a few examples but don’t treat it as a definitive list! The best thing about Scotland is that really there is no wrong answer. Anywhere you go there will be history, legends and something beautiful just around the next corner!

If you’ve visited any of these places in Scotland before then feel free to leave tips for others in the comments below. If a trip to any of these sounds like something you’d like to do with an experienced guide, then send me a message about booking a Scotland’s Stories tour!

Want To See More of Scotland?

Sign up to get blog updates!
No spam. Ever.

Categories: Travel Blog

Graeme

Writer and Storyteller

2 Comments

Pauline Galloway · January 15, 2025 at 8:52 pm

Great article. I’m pleased to see Angus getting a boost from you. The more I visit Aberlemno, the more gems like Forfar museum and Brechin coffee shops I discover.

    Graeme · January 15, 2025 at 9:44 pm

    There’s loads to keep you busy in Angus!

Leave a Reply

Avatar placeholder

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *